Asked and Answered: Bryan County toddler mauled case

ELLABELL, GA (WTOC) -

Over one year ago, an Ellabell toddler was attacked and
killed by her family's seven pit bulls in their backyard during the middle of
the day while the adults, including her 18-year-old mother, were asleep.

The mother, Summer Laminack, was eventually charged with
involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty. Not much has been heard about the
case since last spring, which was supposed to go to a grand jury in the summer.

In this WTOC Asked and Answered segment, viewers want to
know: where does this case stand?

Sometimes even the most high profile cases can sneak through
the court system without much attention, and it seems that's what happened here.
The grand jury didn't get the case until November of 2013.

Laminack was indicted on Nov. 6 on a felony count of
involuntary manslaughter, second degree cruelty to children (also a felony),
and misdemeanor reckless conduct. She was arraigned in December and pleaded not
guilty.

The attack and death happened in March 2013, and Laminack
claimed, through her attorney, she was studying for her GED when her
21-month-old daughter, Monica, wandered into the backyard through the doggie
door, where she was followed by the family's seven pit bulls, unsupervised.

However, police said the family told them the child's two
uncles, 15 and 12 years old, were awake, while the Laminack, the grandmother
and great-grandmother were asleep.

The grandmother woke up to the sound of the dogs barking and
yelled, "They're killing Monica!"

Police believe the mauling took place over an extended
period of time, not in just a few minutes. All seven pit bulls were put to sleep
at the scene when authorities arrived.

Only Laminack was charged in the death of her daughter, and
the case, which is still pending, is listed for a status update on June 26, and
could go to trial this summer.

Do you have a question for WTOC? Send it to Don Logana on
Facebook or Twitter, or email your questions to Asked and Answered at ask@wtoc.com.

A group of more than 50 pastors in Savannah hopes the families of murder victims can help them create positive change in the city’s violent crime. The Savannah Alliance of Pastors is holding that meeting and a prayer vigil next week.

A group of more than 50 pastors in Savannah hopes the families of murder victims can help them create positive change in the city’s violent crime. The Savannah Alliance of Pastors is holding that meeting and a prayer vigil next week.